Pre-Trip George and Scott plan a family-free ToT Ten Miler trip

I guess you could say that the beginnings of this thread started in another Trip Report. Mine actually. In November of last year I took a trip to run in my first runDisney race, the Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon. I finished the race, had a good time, got home, wrote up my trip report. Next thing I know, I get a message in my WDWMagic Inbox from @George

Scott,
I read the beginning of your trip report and it gave me an idea. Since my kids are school age, the Disney races aren't at good times, would you consider doing a half marathon or Tower of Terror Ten Miler with me? We could pick the exact dates and times later, since there are 4 or 5 options.
Thoughts?
- - George

With this, the seeds of a trip were planted.

We've had a few brief conversations via phone and PM to set some of the basics. We decided upon the Tower of Terror Ten Miler race, in October 2014, mostly because we're excited for the afterparty at DHS. We've registered for the race.

We've also somehow gotten the blessings of our spouses that this trip will be "solo". Just two gentlemen heading down for some wholesome fun, to run a 10 mile race through the WDW Property, to ride some rides, enjoy some of the fine food options, and have a good time enjoying the parks without kids slowing us down there to join us in the fun. I've even got my wife to let me put off telling my kids until just about a week before I leave for the race, so I don't have to spend the next 8 months with my children openly hating me.

What I thought would be fun though is if @George and I would make the plans for our trip out here in the trip report forum under a Pre-Trip heading. That way we can solicit the opinions of anyone who would be so inclined to read this little thread, and we can utilize the vast knowledge of our fellow WDWMagic fans to prepare a great short vacation.

So, to start off @George I think we firm up the dates. I'm thinking we fly down on Thursday, 10/2 and return on Monday 10/6. That'd give us a couple days in which we're not being asked to run ungodly distances where we can enjoy the parks. A day or two prior to the race, and a day or two limping around after the race.

I think the flight schedules open up soonish, so if you'd like to fly out of your local airport and meet me down there, or if you'd like to pop up to my place and stay on Wednesday night and we fly together out of Midway, that would work as well. If we did that, it would give me the added benefit of staging a faux kidnapping in front of my kids so that I can claim plausible deniability in knowingly leaving them to go to WDW.
 

sshindel

The Epcot Manifesto
Original Poster
I decided that in the ramp up to our upcoming trip, for which I am very excited, I wanted to capture the things I'm looking forward to. I figured I'd capture the Top 21 things I'm looking forward to on the ToT Ten-Miler trip. Actually, I figured I'd capture the top 22 things, but totally forgot to post yesterday, so now one thing is moved to not-looking-forward-to-as-much status. I'll hopefully post of of these a day, and if I don't, well, I guess another one bites the dust. Not all will be long, some shorter than others. So, as these things always start,
Without further ado and in no particular order:

A list of 21 things that I am looking forward to on the upcoming sshindel and George ToT ten-miler trip

Day 1

Trying Mission:Space again

Admission. I've been on Mission:Space exactly once, many years ago. My wife gets motion sick, so we tried it once, it didn't sit well with her, and out of all attractions it's one I've never really felt the need to leave her behind and ride it by myself.
I've had varying opinions on my dislike (or more like indifference) towards that ride.
First I thought it was it is what replaced Horizons, which I do not think is 100% true. EPCOT Center was always supposed to have a NASA sponsored space pavilion. While I don't agree with taking down Horizons to build it instead of just adding another pavilion, I can't really hold it against M:S, which I have.
I've thought it was poorly done, which I believe is not true as well, likely just a projection based on my one experience on it.
I've thought that it was going to be a totally different experience, since it was built before I was an internet Disney Nerd, I didn't know much about it, but pictured a space pavilion very different. Again, my personal expectations based on unfounded assumptions really aren't relevant.

So, with all that in mind, I want to give it a fresh set of eyes. I want to try and see it and reevaluate it.
I still think it will fail on a few personal wishes, but I want to give it a fair shake. Judging something once based on a potentially incorrect set of assumptions is not really a good way to go. As someone who constantly rants about Future World, I need to be sure I'm ranting without (too much) bias.
 

sshindel

The Epcot Manifesto
Original Poster
Tonight I got a gift. In discussing if my wife is going to fly to DC the weekend after my trip, I got her to agree that I don't have to tell the girls where I am going before I leave on my Disney trip! Either after I get back, or maybe if they try and FaceTime with me and they bust me via video.

That being said, does anyone know any good way to put a false background up behind you on FaceTime? Is there a cheaters app that allow people to consistently lie about their whereabouts? Do I need to travel with a huge backdrop that looks like a Holiday Inn Express?
 

sshindel

The Epcot Manifesto
Original Poster
Today let's go topical with my Thing I am Looking Forward to!

Saying goodbye to Maelstrom

I'll freely admit I was never in love with Maelstrom. In fact, I think my favorite part of it was the very outdated film that everyone skips (which I have never once done myself).
I think a lot of it was due to over-imagination, kind of like above, only the younger version of it.
In 1988 when it debuted, I would have been 12 years old. I'm fairly certain I heard about Maelstrom from the Birnbaum books my parents always bought. I read about how you would nealry go over the waterfalls backwards, the trolls, and polar bears, and I was thinking this would be a truly epic ride.
On my first ride, I came away with a feeling of what would later be dubbed "meh". It wasn't a bad ride, it was quite good actually. Just that first impression I was expecting to have my mind-blown.
That being said, this change that was announced today marks the death of something dear to me. World Showcase. It was the last fairly untainted (well, KimPossible/Agent P/Duffy were kinda tainting) part of Epcot that really felt educational, while really being about selling food/merch.
I loved the Norway pavilion. The Stave Church was nearly my favorite place in Epcot in recent years. I loved the peace and serenity of it. The educational aspect. The bakery in Norway is a favorite that goes back to childhood. I dont know why but those vaflers with the strawberry jam was just top notch! I nearly always get one!
Akershus I gave a pass, because it was a great way to get my kids great face-time with the princesses, without having to spend hours in M&G lines.
And now, we've killed Norway for good. With Frozen taking over that ride, what is left of Norway in World Showcase? A troll gift shop?
The last few days it was reported that FP+ had been extended out to 10/5, which just happens to coincide with the day that our large group was planning on doing Epcot.

I can't think of a better way to say goodbye to one of the last true educational attractions in Epcot than with the group of WDWMagicers that will be tearing apart Epcot that day.
 

Tiggerish

Resident Redhead
Premium Member
I can't think of a better way to say goodbye to one of the last true educational attractions in Epcot than with the group of WDWMagicers that will be tearing apart Epcot that day.

Make sure that we all know what FP+ time window we're looking for...

Edit: taking into account that late breakfast/practically lunch, I grabbed a 2:55-3:55 FP+
 
Last edited:

draybook

Well-Known Member
Following this thread, because I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on the ToT 10 miler. We're planning on doing it next year and we're probably going to either drag a camper down there with my in laws or get them to help with the cost of flying and the resort.

Maybe if you gents, or any others here, are going to do it next year we can meet up before I lag behind.
 

sshindel

The Epcot Manifesto
Original Poster
Following this thread, because I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on the ToT 10 miler. We're planning on doing it next year and we're probably going to either drag a camper down there with my in laws or get them to help with the cost of flying and the resort.

Maybe if you gents, or any others here, are going to do it next year we can meet up before I lag behind.
I'll make sure to report back after it. I had a great time at the Wine and Dine 1/2 marathon last year, so I'm very excited to see how well this race stacks up next to it!
 

sshindel

The Epcot Manifesto
Original Poster
Let's do a quick one today since it's Saturday.

Spending time in World Showcase (before Frozen kills it)

With kids, I haven't spent any decent time in WS in years. The last time I was able to spend even a few hours there, I was chasing after my kids doing the whole Perry thing, not actually seeing anything.
I'm looking forward to changing that. And it is times just right, with Anna and Elsa about to render the whole showcase meaningless.
I want to have a cocktail and listen to my favorite act there Mariachi Cobre. I want to set foot in Rose and Crown, which I've never done. I need a tasty German Beer. I want to look at the little things, see what is in the Japan museum. I need to see American Adventure (that may be a whole new post).
 

Tiggerish

Resident Redhead
Premium Member
Let's do a quick one today since it's Saturday.

Spending time in World Showcase (before Frozen kills it)

With kids, I haven't spent any decent time in WS in years. The last time I was able to spend even a few hours there, I was chasing after my kids doing the whole Perry thing, not actually seeing anything.
I'm looking forward to changing that. And it is times just right, with Anna and Elsa about to render the whole showcase meaningless.
I want to have a cocktail and listen to my favorite act there Mariachi Cobre. I want to set foot in Rose and Crown, which I've never done. I need a tasty German Beer. I want to look at the little things, see what is in the Japan museum. I need to see American Adventure (that may be a whole new post).

Get ready for the PML "Golden Dreams" singalong...I am :cautious:
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom